Thanks for the encouragement. I agree, things have a way of working out. I've had a great day building today, got the keel strips laid last night and one side of the bottom almost complete today. I also learned a somewhat expensive lesson about my makeshift table saw...it doesn't like to cut hardwood. I pretty much ruined a great piece of walnut without getting any strips I can use. The saw worked great for cedar, redwood and pine but pooped out on the hard stuff.